The notice in the "Herald's" Melbourne telegrams of the decease of the Rev. Samuel Hewlett, at Geelong, on the 11th instant, conveyed to many of the old residents in and around Wollongong tidings of the departure from this life of a familiar and esteemed acquaintance in years gone by. And the announcement of the venerable gentleman's death has been all the more a matter of interest in this part on account of two of his family (Messrs. George and William Hewlett) being amongst the most respectable and prominent members of our community. To these two gentlemen the news of their honored father's death was none the less painful though his age had bordered upon the utmost bounds of the allotted limit to human life.

True affection being as undying as the soul itself, it exists under all circumstances, and becomes intensified rather than diminished as years roll on towards the period of life when the loving and the beloved must part forever, so far as this world and its joys and sorrows are concerned. Although the Rev. Mr. Hewlett had entered upon the 'four score years' ere his vital spark took its flight, he is sorrowed for in death as he was beloved in life by the surviving members of his family.

A brief reference to a few of the prominent incidents of the deceased gentleman's life will be interesting to many persons who may read this notice. He arrived in this colony in January, 1839, with nine of a family, having previously buried one of his children in the old country. He also lived to see four other members of his offspring taken away by death.

His main object in coming to the colony was to benefit his large family. Shortly after his arrival on these shores he came to reside in the neighborhood of Wollongong, where he settled during a period of five years. In the whole course of that time he preached twice every Sunday in a small building in Kembla Street, between Market and Smith Streets, and which was used afterwards for some time as a place of worship in connection with the Presbyterian Free Church and more latterly by the Congregationalists. The whole of his work in the cause of Christ during his sojourn in this district, by preaching the Gospel to his hearers, was a labor of love on his part, it being performed voluntarily and without any emolument or pecuniary reward.

In 1845 he removed from Wollongong to Hobart Town, Tasmania, having accepted the pastorate charge of the Baptist Church there. After remaining there for some years, he was chosen as pastor of one of the Baptist Churches in Geelong, Victoria, which charge he accepted. In the course of his ministry there, the congregation built a large and handsome stone Church in which he officiated for many years, and until the infirmities of age rendered it necessary for him to resign the settled pastorate, although he frequently preached even up to within a short time prior to his death.

Altogether he was more than fifty years a minister of the Gospel in England and the colonies. He was first settled as a minister over the Baptist Church in Dunmow, Essex, and afterwards at Westminster, he having resigned the latter charge in order to come to Australia.

The reverend gentleman preached in the Congregational Church in this town on the occasion of what has now proved to have been his last visit to this district and his friends here, about eight or nine years ago. Those persons now residing in this district who were in the habit of attending his ministry in Wollongong speak with respectful and devoted reverence of his Christian zeal and piety, which were of no ordinary character.

In noticing the decease of the reverend gentleman, the "Geelong Advertiser" says: - "As a clergyman, Mr. Hewlett was universally respected by persons of all denominations who knew him. Although his health had been failing for a considerable time, he maintained the vigorous possession of all his faculties up to the day before his death, when he became unconcious."